The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign has faced a major setback as more than 3.6 million parents refused to allow their daughters to be vaccinated against cervical cancer. The campaign, which began on September 15, was launched with the target of protecting adolescent girls from one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
Authorities revealed that before the campaign started, details of parents, including their computerized national identity card (CNIC) numbers, were documented for record-keeping. Despite the awareness drives, resistance to the vaccine persisted, raising concerns about public health awareness and misconceptions regarding cervical cancer prevention.
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Data collected shows that refusal rates were particularly high in Punjab, where over 2.5 million parents declined vaccination for their daughters. In Sindh, nearly 854,000 parents resisted, while 68,768 refusals were recorded in Islamabad, and 156,000 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting widespread hesitation across multiple regions.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed that out of the total target of 11.7 million girls, more than 7.7 million have successfully received the vaccine. Health experts stressed that despite progress, the refusal from millions of parents could undermine efforts to reduce future cervical cancer cases and safeguard women's health nationwide.
As a result of the large-scale refusals, the government decided to extend the vaccination campaign until October 1. Health officials reiterated their commitment to continue awareness efforts, emphasizing that the HPV vaccine is globally recognized for its safety and effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer.
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The setback highlights the urgent need for stronger health communication and community engagement. Experts believe that addressing parental concerns, dispelling myths, and building trust in vaccines will be crucial for ensuring long-term success of such campaigns in Pakistan.